What's Your Story?

“Return to your home and declare how much The Lord has done for you.’ And he went away, declaring throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him."- Luke 8:39
 
"So, Adam, what your story?" the young man said to his friend as he sat down at the table next to me at the coffee shop. With that one question, the young man unleashed many years of pain, hurt and frustration. The other man, in turn, listened with grace and compassion. As he responded, he used Scripture to pierce this man's heart and let him know that there was hope despite his circumstances.
 
Our stories are paramount to our witness as Christ's followers. Our testimonies are those stories and circumstances that have shaped who we are. Those stories can be used to proclaim God's goodness and presence in our lives.
 
We all have stories to share. Even if someone kept on the straight and narrow, that is still a story to be shared. How can someone have a good life without the Holy Spirit's guidance and the person's avoidance of sin? No one can live a good life without Christ. Otherwise, their actions are filthy rags in his sight. Our stories of hope and redemption help us identify with the world in a way that lets them relate to us, not be repelled by us.
 
God wants us to share those stories with the world. God doesn't need to be defended. He needs His people to speak about what he is doing in our lives today.
 
What's your story? How can you share that story with others?

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